21 is a 2008 American heist drama based on a true story about six MIT students who were experts in card counting at Blackjack. They subsequently took Vegas casinos for Millions of Dollars.
These six friends go on a secret trip to Las Vegas where they use their skills, code talk, hand signals and the probability of winning at various casinos leading them to earn substantial profits. The main character Ben, who initially only wanted to make enough to get into Harvard, becomes corrupted by greed.
Storyline
Ben Campbell is a student at MIT in Boston who desperately wants a scholarship to transfer to Harvard’s School of Medicine but cannot afford it. One evening he is introduced into a small, secretive club by his unorthodox math professor who is learning to count cards. Ben joins the group as he sees it as a solution to fulfilling his dreams of getting into Harvard. Sadly once he makes enough to get into Harvard, he is not able to quit and morphs into his alter ego and does a complete 360.
His devotion to Blackjack causes him to lose focus in an engineering competition which estranges him from his friends which causes him to become distracted, resulting in making a significant loss at the tables on their next Las Vegas trip. It then highlights how friendships falter, deception and revenge take priority when money is involved. There is certainly no honour amongst thieves, be it at the tables in Vegas or holding up a bank.
Conclusion
21 is thematically relevant, particularly in today’s world of materialism and greed. It has a more significant impact than other films in this genre because the events of 21 are based on a true story. It is both engaging and entertaining and emphasizes the dangers of obsessive gambling and how it affects individuals and their lives.
Introducing Phil Ivey
Phil Ivey is a professional American poker player who was born on the 1st of February 1977. He is the acclaimed winner of ten World Series of Poker bracelets, one World Poker Tour title and has competed at nine World Poker Tour Final tables. He is one of the best all-round players in the world and is known as the “Tiger Woods” of Poker.
As of 2018 Ivey’s total live tournament winnings exceed $26 250 000 and over $6 600 000 of his total winnings have come from flows of cash at W.S.O.P. He is currently ranked seventh on the all-time money list.
Rise and Fall of Phil Ivey
In 2000 Ivey a then 23-year-old established himself as one of the top up and coming players and secured his first bracelet. In 2002 Ivey showcased his skills at limit poker and won massive amounts in Limit Seven Card Stud, Split Poker, Limit Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo and Limit S.H.O.E. He also made two final tables and got 23rd place in the W.S.O.P. main event. In that timespan, Ivey collected four bracelets and received more than $400 000 in prize money. He had a good run, and 2009 was an incredible year for him and by then had his eighth bracelet at the age of 33.
His career, however, took a turn for the worst a few years later when he became embroiled in a legal war with East Coast Casino Borgata. He rose again in 2018 and had a few decent runs and is currently ranked number eight in the Poker World.
Conclusion
Ivey has had a lousy decade between legal battles and a rather messy divorce, but he has a history of making history. If anyone can rise from the Ashes, Phil Ivey can as he is one of the foremost legends in Poker.
